Structural-Tectonic Interpretation of Lineaments and Their Role in the Development of Karst-Suffosion Processes in the Mangystau Region Based on Remote Sensing Data

This paper presents an integrated approach to the mapping and structural-tectonic interpretation of lineaments in the Mangystau region using multispectral Landsat-8 OLI data and the medium-resolution Airbus WorldDEM4Ortho digital elevation model. Automatic extraction of linear structures has enabled the identification of over 35,000 lineaments of varying length and orientation, forming a network of intersecting zones that influence the distribution of sedimentary thicknesses, drainage directions, and the location of karst-suffosion depressions. The most prominent are the north-western and sub-latitudinal systems, closely correlated with zones of fracturing and faults, which confirms their tectonic origin. The spatial concentration of lineaments coincides with areas of increased permeability in carbonate and gypsum-bearing rocks and localizes the pathways of groundwater circulation, contributing to the development of karst-suffosion processes. The obtained results demonstrate the significance of structural influences on the region’s current geomorphological and hydrogeological conditions and also have practical importance for engineering-geological surveys, the assessment of geological risks, and the planning of sustainable land use.